History has seen it as a protagonist at various times, the last of which was during the Second World War when it was chosen as a shelter for the partisans’ ammunition. The tree is also known as the Oak of the Witches, because according to an ancient legend in the past it was the place where they met on the occasion of the Sabbath, a convention during which magical practices and blasphemous rites were performed.

Following a shameful act of vandalism in 2014, after a bureaucratic process that lasted 3 years, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage recognized the Quercia delle Checche as a property to be protected. It has been classified as a monumental tree because it is “of particular public interest”. In fact, in June 2017 it obtained the MiBACT recognition becoming the first Green Monument in Italy.

L'articolo Quercia delle Checche proviene da Montepulciano.com.

Made famous all over the world by famous shots or car advertisements, the typical winding streets with cypresses are one of the favorite spots for all tourists and photographers who visit the Val d’Orcia.

The winding streets surrounded by cypresses that rise up the wonderful hills are perhaps the most famous symbol of the Tuscan landscape. These narrow streets have been immortalized in postcards, car advertisements and in the smartphones and cameras of tourists from all over the world.

L'articolo Cypresses road, Monticchiello proviene da Montepulciano.com.

L'articolo Montalcino proviene da Montepulciano.com.

L'articolo Radicofani proviene da Montepulciano.com.

L'articolo Parco dei Mulini, Bagno Vignoni proviene da Montepulciano.com.

Here, among the scents and colors of its landscape, you will find real food and wine excellences such as sheep “cacio”, red wine Orcia DOC, and quality EVO oil. To visit you will find a beautiful fifteenth-century noble palace of the Bandinelli family, on which stands the Cassero tower. Enter Contignano through the two main streets that lead to a beautiful square with a well, and arrive as far as the Church of S. Maria Assunta. Here the Val d’Orcia will envelop you with all its colors, and you can also visit the Chapel of S. Rocco.

In August, do not miss the appointment with the ravioli (an italian typical type of pasta) festival, an unmissable date for the sweet tooth and the most gourmets!

L'articolo Contignano, near Radicofani proviene da Montepulciano.com.

After passing the village going towards Torrenieri, right in the middle of the hill stands this small grouping of cypresses that seems painted. The advice is to park along the road where there is a small rest area on both sides of the carriageway.

Among the most loved and iconic places by photographers in the Val d’Orcia and Tuscany, it is a must on your tour of the Val d’Orcia. One thing that not everyone knows is that there are two cypress groves in San Quirico d’Orcia: the lower one (the most famous and photographed) and the one located higher up, at the top of the hill. The latter, unlike the other, can be reached either on foot from the main road or along a secondary dirt road. Once you get to the top, you can literally enter the famous circle of cypresses.

L'articolo Cypress forest, San Quirico d’Orcia proviene da Montepulciano.com.

A real natural thermal oasis, where the waters gush out at a temperature of 48 °, cooling slowly down towards the valley. You can therefore find tubs with various temperatures and this makes it possible to take a nice relaxing bath in the natural baths of Bagni San Filippo at any time of the year.

L'articolo Natural Spa Bagni di San Filippo proviene da Montepulciano.com.

Many of the streets of the Renaissance Pienza bear romantic or evocative names: cross Pienza walking along the main street, Corso Rossellino, which is overlooked by artisan shops, restaurants and flowered balconies.

In the middle of Corso Rossellino opens “Piazza Pio II”, which overlooks the Town Hall. Continue to Piazza di Spagna with its beautiful well, and if you want to enjoy a unique show, take a detour along the very romantic Via del Casello. Here you can admire the whole Val d’Orcia from above: a breathtaking spectacle that you can enjoy tasting the renowned Pecorino di Pienza, perhaps accompanied by an excellent glass of wine.

L'articolo Pienza proviene da Montepulciano.com.

Not far from Castiglione stands the Rocca di Tentennano, used for a long time as a sentinel over the area. It is said to have also hosted Saint Catherine of Siena who, according to tradition, learned to read and write here thanks to a miracle. Arriving here, you cannot miss this imposing tower that overlooks the adjacent village of Rocca d’Orcia and stands out over the entire valley.
We advise you to climb the Rocca and enjoy the view but we already warn you that the photos will not be able to do justice to such beauty: here you can enjoy a few hours of relaxation thanks to a restaurant and a refreshment point. The tower is open to the public in the summer every day and on weekends almost all year round.

L'articolo Castiglione d’Orcia proviene da Montepulciano.com.